My Favorite Toxin-Free Products

Last month, I shared a blog encouraging readers to reduce the toxin load on your body to boost your gut health. In that post, my focus was largely on reducing intake of processed food, however parabens and other chemicals enter our bloodstream through skin absorption as well, so it’s important to think about the skin care products and cosmetics you use and what they’re made of.

Pause for a second to count the number of products you apply to your skin on a daily basis. Think about lotion, deodorant, soap, make-up, sunscreen, lip balm, etc… How many products do you apply and how many ingredients are in each of those products?

For example, I start the day with a cleanse of my face, then I apply a vitamin C serum, and a layer of either a moisturizer or if I’m going to be in the sun, I use a moisturizer plus sunblock. My favorite deodorant is made by Crystal (more on that later). When I shower, I use an all-natural coconut body wash or skin exfoliator, then add moisturizer. With my make-up, I simply use eyeshadow, mascara, lip gloss, and blush. I wash my hair every 3 to 4 days with shampoo and conditioner. I don’t like to wash it more than that because my hair feels healthier when I don’t wash it as frequently. So for me, on average, the number of products I use on a daily basis is between 7 to 9.

According to a survey conducted by the Environmental Working Group, the average person uses 9 products each day which contain 126 unique ingredients. These ingredients are largely unregulated, as safety tests are not legally required in the cosmetic industry. While the EU has banned over 1300 chemicals, the FDA has only banned 8 and restricted 3. Alarming statistics, right? In this area, it’s also important that we, as consumers, advocate on our own behalf, do our research and only use safe, toxin free products.

Below is a list of my favorite products. I feel safe using these daily and applying them on my kids as well.

1.) Homemade Bug Spray – Eucalyptus and Tea Tree Oil

This is easy and quick – all you need is an 8 ounce spray bottle, fill with water and add 20 drops of eucalyptus oil 20 drops of tea tree oil. Some recipes also add 20 drops of lavender oil. Then lightly spray directly on skin and allow to dry.

BeautyCounter will not put anything in their products that has not been tested and passed their rigorous safety standards. They’ve also banned 1,500 contested chemicals. Their website includes a helpful list of products to avoid, which BeautyCounter refers to as the “Never List.” Check it out and use it as a guide when checking the ingredient list of products you buy.

Coola mineral sunscreen is made with fresh, natural and organic ingredients. They use plant-based ingredients, like algae and red raspberry seed oil to help boost the efficacy. They also avoid use of parabens, GMOs and oxybenzone.

Unlike antiperspirants, this deodorant does not block the pores—allowing the body to function naturally. Odor is controlled and eliminated by natural minerals and other botanically-derived ingredients like Lotus Blossom and Orange Peel Extract.

6.) Epsom Salt

Salt detox baths are a great way for minerals to draw toxins out of the body. Epsom salt is made of magnesium and sulfate (which is different from table salt, which is simply sodium).

In Conclusion – Always Check Labels

As I mentioned earlier, it’s really up to the consumer to do their homework and check the ingredients of everything – whether it is a food product or a beauty product. This may seem daunting at first, but just like with your grocery shopping, once you dial in which products are safe to use, you can resume your auto-pilot shopping.

I’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite natural cosmetics and skin-care products?

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